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"No. Is this a language psyop to implant people with a negative view of people who do stuff without official license?"

If it is, it was quite succesfull, as at least some of them are using the term themself, also in the warez scene (pirate bay). Romanticizing pirates is not a new thing (while ignoring the bloody murder part).



Rape and pillage (different things) doesn’t have the same romance as pillage and plunder (same thing).


see also 'jay walking'


I don't think this is quite the same. "Free as a jaybird" isn't something most people have a negative feelings about.


'jay' was a slur 'cityfolk' used to describe a rube from a rural area. Someone who didn't understand the culture of the city and was too trusting, etc.

The auto industry co-oped it and used it as a wedge to get city streets turned over to cars so they could sell more cars.

Calling people broadcasting on 'protected frequencies' pirates is a similar slur.




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